There's nothing as odd as.....!

Was there ever anything as odd as the Banksia pod? (worth enlarging to see it's hairy weirdness close up) Taken while out walking through Hepburn Heights bushland yesterday to see if any of the wildflowers are out.  Even though it's still the middle of winter in Australia it's been so mild here in Perth with sunny warm days of 20C I wondered if the wildflowers might have been fooled into thinking it was spring :) There was the odd splash of bright yellow, but as yet it's mostly the Banksia in various stages of growth....

If you're very lucky you may catch a glimpse (below) of the 'exotica red' behind the bushes, a tres rare species of the lesser known 'glamographer' :) and of course there's no show without the 'gang' turning up! Hope that you're having a wonderfully relaxing weekend, take care, and stay safe..p.s. catch up today.....

Disturbed reflections....

I was almost inspired to write a poem about the tranquility of the scene above at Neil Hawkins Park ..but on 'reflection' I thought it may be too soon since the last :) besides seconds after I took the first shot a 'flotilla of Coots' landed robustly creating ripples on the lake and swam swiftly, their white bills gleaming, towards me, quite a sight! Here we are Saturday once again, only 165 days until Christmas, knew that would cheer you up :)) Have a great weekend, take care and stay safe.....click here to see more of James's Weekend Reflections.

A literary shelter.....!

If you find yourself in the city, or Subiaco or as I was on this chilly winter day in Fremantle, what better way to spend a bit of time than search through the eclectic mix of old, new and rare books in Elizabeth's Bookshop. In a world where the bigger bookshops are folding as fast as Roger Bannister ran the four minute mile back in 1954, it's comforting to know that here in Perth and in many cities around the world smaller quirky bookshops like Elizabeth's remain open and thrive because of their ongoing ability to provide the discerning book reader with that certain something to titillate their imagination :) I enjoyed reading the 'staff recommendations' nice touch Nat! What are you reading right now, I'm zipping through 'Daughters-in-Law' by Joanna Trollope, light reading, not bad! Happy Thursday, take care.....

School's out....!

We called in at Neil Hawkins Park (just one of the recreation areas in Yellagonga Regiional Park) on the way home from the city on Monday, it was nice to see so many parents out with their children in the fresh (very fresh) air on the first day of the school hols, so much more fun than computers and TV oui! Although it's definitely not encouraged to feed the birds, this small area above seems to be the exception, I think the appropriate seed for the parrots and pigeons is available and the birds are so tame that they feed off your hand....not my hand, apart from that scary, pointy beak on the long billed Corella (not the same as the Little Corellas that visit me) they looked kinda grumpy don't you think :) Have a happy middle of the working week, take care and stay safe.....

Reading Helps Kids Fly.........

Looking ahead yesterday as I walked through the Perth Cultural Centre towards the State Library, for a miniscule moment :) the two black and white pylons brought to mind Les Deux Plateau in Paris (well I can dream can't I). Called 'Gateway II Coalesce' they are the first major public art work by Akio Makigawa (1948-1999) and consist of a series of Japanese inspired black & white marble pylons arranged around the approach to the library. There are works by Akio Makigawa in most cities around Australia, many in Melbourne where he lived for a while, I know there are a few more around Perth, I'll be keeping an eye open..maybe even two :)) The reflection caught between the middle pillar is PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts), the splendid building in the two shots below the Museum of WA where there is currently an Egyptian exhibition called 'The Secrets of the Afterlife' pffffft seriously!  it's complicated enough keeping up with the 'this' life never mind the after oui! Happy Tuesday, take care and stay safe...p.s. catch up today!

Rue des Fleurs.. or, under the Jacaranda tree.....

I'm really excited to share these pictures with you. Late last year I did a series of posts about the Laneway Art project in the city, it occurred to me as I was taking photos of all the fantastic new murals around Perth that I had a laneway of my own that could do with a little TLC. Although painted garden green the view from the back bedrooms in my house has always been tres uninspiring. No longer! A few months ago I commissioned my very talented niece Jessica to paint a floral mural along the 36ft corrugated fence, quite a challenge n'est pas? Now, under the overhang of purple Jacaranda blossom there is a profusion of sunflowers, roses, daises, poppies and so much more, and even though Sydney can't visit my garden anymore, I have her here as a permanent reminder of how very sweet she was, lovely touch Jess merci beaucoup :) The final daubs went on this weekend and I feel very privileged to be the first of many such projects for Jess..look out for that signature below, it's going to be renowned one day. Hope you've had a good weekend and are ready to face the week, happy Monday, take care....p.s. if anyone has advice on how I can keep my new mural safe from the harsh Aussie sun, I'd appreciate hearing it.....Click here to view all participants of Monday Mural

Weekend visitors.....

Of all the birds that visit my back garden, the Rainbow Lorikeets are without doubt the most exotic, they really are so gloriously vibrant, no enhancement necessary. The Galahs are everyday visitors, the Lorikeets only pop in now and then..these two flew in yesterday morning for a feed of sunflower seeds, you can see how much they're enjoying them in the last two shots. As I inched nearer to get a close-up their heads popped up in unison to check me out, deciding I looked harmless enough :) they kept right on crunching. You can tell by their colouring whether they are male or females but these two stuck together so closely it was impossible to compare. I hope you enjoy this psychedelic flash from Perth, have a fab weekend, take care.....